National Republican., 1887-04-19
PUBLIC PRINTER BENEDICT
Said to DO Making Discharges for Par.
tisan p. rposes


EDITOR NATIONAL REPUBLICAN Mr..
Benedict has given us during the past week
some further evidence OF the reformatory
measures which he is putting In practice in
the government printing Office. Three
proof f-readers-Messrs. Chase, Scott, and
Wallace-were dismissed on Thursday. All
three Of these gentlemen were regarded by
those In the office best capable OF Judging
as being exceptionally well qualified to fiji
the positions they occupied, and It is not
even claimed by the public printer that
their removal was the result Of deter
mination to reduce the force. On Satur-
day Mr.. George Fordham, for q number Of
years In charge Of the document files and
the large force In that department, was re-
queeted to hand In his resignation. Mr.
Fordhsm is one OF the most efficient men
ever employed in the office, and was so es.
teemed by all his associates during the sew
enteen years he was In government employ
On the same day Mr. Daniel Beach, another
employe OF long service and of acknowl-
edged superior qualifications, was notified
by the public printer that his services were
dispensed with. The writer has heard It
stated, and from his observation believes It
to be true, that Mr.. Beach possessed better
qualifications as printer than any other
man In the government printing office. He
has filed the position of composition, fore
man Of the Record, make up, copy pre-
parer, clerk, and always performed every
duty assigned to him Ia creditable man-
ner. For over three years he has been
Immediately associated with Capt. Brian,
the foreman of printing, aud the mere
fact of his selection by that gentleman as
his chief assistant is sufficient evidence OF
his superior qualifications.
Capt. Brian's other assistant, Mr.. MyrOu
Fose, was also dismissed, and on the same
day. His services as keeper of the tim,
rolls and the disbursement accounts OF the
foreman OF printing's department have al
ways reflected the highest credit upon his
9ua1lica'iGns n1n as clerk. Mr. Benedict has
office a political machine, aud
he should not be permitted
TO make it appear that he has any other pur.
pose in view, when the facts can so readily
he shown. lie is conducting the Office
solely with view to getting rid OF the
Republicans and puttiug Democrats In
ness to announce the fact he should not be
permitted to cloak his work under the
guise Of ''improying the SERVICE" the "sur-
vival Of the iittest,n or any similar pre-.
tense which is 30 utterly false. AS a Re-
publican i do not clam any immunity for
any Of my party friends who may happen
TO he employed in the government printing
OlHce, UuJ L uO prOteSJ hpaluSb Tue bnan
and hypocrisy Of Mr.. Benedict's claim that
be is making all these changes in the inter.
est Of the public service. His statement
that the qualifications OF the employees
whom he has removed, as a class, were in
ferior is not susceptible Of proof, while II Is
notorious fact that many-very many-of
the rev appointees are men Of the most
ordinary qualifications. Aside from the
grossly unjust stigma which he has at
tempted to fasten upon those who have
fallen under his official ak, he has unques.
tionably inflicted direct pecuniary loss
upon the government by the employment Of
inferior workmen. 1t is time that the true
condition of this great workshop was made
known, and that Mr. Benedict should be
compelled to show his colors. He is a par
tisan Of the most pronounced type, and he is
using the position he holds for partisan
ends, Let him cease all this cant about
improving the efficiency of his department,
and announce the fact that his aim and
purpose is to increase the efficiency of the
Democratic party, and the public will have
more respect for him. FAUST.